Apparatus for purifying liquids or semiliquids.



n. 11. Panama, manna POI PUlH'YIIG LIQUIDS OF BBHILIQUIDB.

- Patented Feb. 8,1910.

I lIIl'll-llllj 1..

u. 11. Panama.

MAM? POI PUIIPYIIO LIQUID. OI QBIILIQUM.

"punt!" run In. 1:. mo. A

- 948,785. mm ma. 10m

'c are the following to he UNITEl f STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

KAT H. FREEMAN. OF BOULDER, COLORADO.

APPARA TUS FOR PURIFY ING LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS.

To all whom it may ('mu'u'n! Boulder, in the county of Boulder of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful lmprovcnn-nts in Appa rntns for lurif ing Liquids or bemillquid and I do doa lull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which -it. appertains to make and use the same,

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Application filed March 15.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

1909. Serial No. 483.6533.

I l'il'. of tanks, the number being suliieient to Be It known that 1, NM ll. mountain. at ttttlttltll of the United States, residing at and State 5 reference being bad to the accompanying and to the figures of reference drawin gfi form a part of this marked tier-eon, which specification.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus .for purifying liquids, my invention being more especially intended for use in purifying sewage in cities, whereby it may be sutliciently purified to be discharged into a river or other stream or body of water, without polluting the latter.

The invention consists in the arrangement of a number of tanks, through which the p automation ly throu h the series of is passedf the same being caused to a aim being ma e for sub'ecting 1 it to an aerating )l'tKJOSS during Hit! pas- Any desireo number of tanks may be employed. In each of these tanks atmospheric air is introduced into thesewage. which is thorou ly aerated. By virtue of certain chemica reactions, which take place between the elements of the air and the sowage, the latter is purified, as heretofore in- In carrying out my invention, the sewage is caused to travel from one tank to another, on the suction principle. As soon as any tank is fall, a float therein acts upon a rod u a valve, whereby communication between the suction pipe and the tank is cut. oil and communication between the atmosphere and the bottom of the tank is established. In this event liquid passes out of the tank in question into the next tank which is underjntction, while the air entering at the bottom of the tank which is discharging its liquid, passes up'through the liquid to till lllt'. \'n('ttum formed by the escaping lit aid. with t e result that the liquid or semii t rial within the tank is thoroughly aerated,

iqnid maa curved plate which the float is mounted to actuate urify the liquid for the purpose stated.

Haring briefly outlined my improvement,

I will prmrced to describe the some in detail. reference bcu r made to the accompanying droning. in W'llCll is illustrated an emboditncut thereof. I in thidrawing Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through two tanks arranged and c uipped in accordance with my invention. Fig. :2 is a cross-section taken through one of the tanks on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, shown on a larger scale. Fig. 8 is s section taken on the line 3-43, Fig. 1, looking downwardly and showing the weighted lever in dotai and on a larger scale. F ig. 4 isa longitudinal section taken through the main valve of the apparatus, shown on a largri tescale than in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar v w showing the valve in a different relative position. F ig. 6 is a section taken through the casing of the auxiliary valve, the arts being shown on a larger scale than in ig. 1. Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing the valve in a diflereat relative position.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate each of a number of tanks, which, as shown in the drawing, are arranged side b side, occupying the same elevation. The ttom of each of these tanks is connected with the top of the adjacent tank by means of a conduit (5, the upper portion of the tank when it connects .with the conduit being equipped with 7 arranged t irectly in front of the open .czttrcmity of: the conduit, and serving to )rcvcnt titlCll agitation in the upper-part 0 the tank as would interfere with the operation of the float within the tank.

Arron d above the series of tanks, is a suction pipe 8, having a branch 9 leading to the main valve casing 10. A branch pipe 12 inalinemcnt with the branch 9, but on the opposite side of the casing, communicates with the top of the tank 5. The casing 10 is also provided with an opening 13 on its upper Sltlt. Directly opposite this opening an air pi )0 14 is in communication with the casing, tie opposite extremity of said air pipe comniuntcatin; with a circular pipe 15 arranged below tlnbottom oi the tank, and

: having brunch pipes lti communicating with l the b ttom of the tank, the openings through which these branch pipes protrude bein protected by mesh material, as shown at 1 to prevent the possible clogpmq of the branch pipes b the settlingI soul mate- 5 rial therein. ithin the va ve casing is located the main valve 18 which in the drawing, is provided with three cylindrical members or portions 19 and" two reduced orqspool-shaped portions 20.

When the suction ipe 8 is in communication with the tank, t e valve 18 is in the position as shown in Fig. 4, whereby one of the spool-like portions of the main valve is brought into position between the opcnin s 16 in the valve casing communicating with t to pipes ti and 12. In this event the tank is cut oil from unnmunication with the atmosphere. When. however. it is desired to cut oil the tank from communication will] the suction conduit and o en comnnmieation between the tank and tie atmosphere, the main valve is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 5. This is accomplished throu h the agency of an auxiliary valve locatet in a casing 22 attached to the top of the tank. The valve 21 is connected a th the upper ex- I tremity of a rod 23 vertically disposed in each tank 5, and upon which a float 24 moves .frcely between up er and lower stop collars 95 and 26. As t e tloat rises during the filling of the tank. it acts upon the upper stop 25, to shiftthc valve 21 into the position shown in Fig-7. This valve is con.-

posed of a number of cylindrical mem 2s 85 and a number of separating espool-shaped members 27. It is also irovid with upper and lower ports 28 am 29, communicatin with the atmosphere. A relatively sina pipe 30 leads from the branch suction pipe 9 and communicates with the chamber of the valve 21, and when, this valve is in the (isi- 'tion shown in Fi 7, being the position which it occupies w ten the tank is full,-commnnication is o .ne'd between one extremity of the main va ve chamber and the suction pi by way of the small iipe lit), the

, va ve chamber 31 and a ripe 3% which leads from the last named chamber to the extremity 330f a chamber 34 of the main valve. At the same time, communication is 0 out between the opposite extremity of 118 main valve cham r. and the atmosphere, byway of the port 29, the vs vs chamber 31, and a pipe 35'leading 1 cm the last named chamber to the extremity 36 of the main valve easing. When this occurs, the main valve is in the position shown in Fig.4,but it is immediately shifted to the position shown in Fig. 5, since its movement will he in the direction of the extremity of the valve chamber which is in communication with the suction xpipe. When this occurs the tank'is cut off mm the suction pipe, since one of the cylindrical memas shown l bers 19 9f the main valve is brought into position to accomplish this purpose. At the same time, communication is opened between the atmoa here and the bottom of the lllllb. by way 0 the port 18, the pipe-l4 and the branch pipe 16. The liquid will then begin to pass out at the full tank into the adjacenttank, through the pi 6, the air rising through the liquid an entering the top'ot' the tank to prevent the formation of a vacuum due to the escape of the liquid. When the tank is substantially emptied, its host, which has followed the rod 23 downwardlv to hRLflOHlZQ with the level of the liquid. acts upon the lower sto J 26, and shifts the rod 23, whereby the position of the valve 28 is changed from that shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 6. When this occuis the extrcmity till of the main valve chamber will be placed in mnununication with the suction'pipc, by way of the pipe 30, the auxiliarv valve chamber 31, and the pi 35. At the same time, the o iposite extremity 33 of the main valve chamber is placed in com munication with the atmosphere, by way of the port 28, the valve chambcr'31 and the )ipe 32. thus causing the main valve to move ro n right to left, whereby it is'shifted from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, thus openino, communica-' tion between the top oi the tan: and the suc- 2 tion pipe. and cutting oti' communication "etween the tank nnd'the atmcsi-herc. In this event, the tank begins to ill either by the discharge from an adjacent tank or from the main source of liquid su rplv, as the case may be, depending upon \Jiltilltl' the tank in question is the initial or intermediate tank of the series; In order to facilitate the operation of the valve 21, c. lever 37. ftllt'l'tltl'iitlE-i'l 38 on :1 depending bracket 39'. is employed. The free extremity of this lever is equipped with a weight Lil, while its opposite extremity is bifurcated to straddle the rod 23 and slotted to row-ire pins 1 which pass illltlllfi lt slots 12, with which the arms of the bifurcated extremity of the lever are provided. \Vhen the iloai is at it upward limit of movement. and has shifted the rod to throw the valve 21 to the'position shown in Fl 7, the lever 37 is also actuated, being cause to occupy the position shown in the tank at the right oi Fl". 1. the weight serving to maintain the valve in this msition against accidental displnccment. )n the contrary, when the liquid in the tank has realits lowest level. the float )4 acts upon lowermost stop 26. to shift the rod '23, to 1 'e. 'e.rse the position of'tlic lever ill, whereby it is caused to occupy thcfposition shown at the left of Fig. 1. it may he stated that the position of the weighted lever in the tank at the I left of big. 1. is that which itoccupies when the tank ia empty, since the float 94 n thia particular tan aa not quite reachad the ueceaaary height to ahift the valve, but ia just in engagement with the atop-collar 81 when the n ward movement of the rod cam; mencea. l may aleo be stated that the poettion of the weighted lever in the tank at the right of Fig. 1 is that which it occupies after the rod haa been moved u wardl by the upward movement of the oat. rom this it will be understood that the float in the tank at the right of Fig. 1 has just come into a eat with the lower; ato collar 26, an ae the balance of the hqui leavee the tank, the wei t of the float will act up? the rod to ehi the weighted lever, and a operate the valve 26 to open communicatton between the auction, pipe and the tank through the agency of the main valve 18.

From the foregoing it will be understood, ate-aiming that.the initial tank of the series 1a in communication with a apitable source of rpnid aupply, that the and liquid may he t a en from said eource and zrseed eucceaeivel -and automatically through all of the of the aeriee w eqeb; -.t. is subected to the roceea of aeration. .-s heretoore deecri in each tank, resulting in'the purification pf the liquid for the purpoee 80 atated Each pipe 6 leading from the bottom of one tank to u per l'llOll of an adjacent tank, to Vltl wit an upwardly openmg ch valve 45,- to prevent the downtlow of the liquid through the said pipe when the tank next in the tear in under auction or during ite filling operation. The t'erm rear in rection toward the source of liquid supply. Thu valve opens it wardly readiy m responee to auction in t e tank with w iich it! upper extremity is connected, but cloees by a downward movement when the rear tank ie under suction, as just explained.

I claim- 1. Means for purifying liquids, comprin' in a tank whose u per portion is connected with a source of liquid en ply, the bottom of the tank having an out et, a float in the tank, suction means a main valve, an auxiliary valve controlled by the float. a pipe connected at one extremity with the main valve easing between its ends and at its 0 poeitc extrcmity of the bottom of the tan another pipe leading from the main valve easing between its extremities to'the top of the tank, a third pipe connecting the main vnlvc easing between its extremities with the emotion nieana, a connection between the third pipe and the auxiliary valve casing,

- and between the last named casing and the opposite extremities of the main valve casting, the auxiliary and main valve caeing having uprte communicating with the atthe eenee here used, indicates the (iiin ae t auxilia valve is moved in ow 'te directiona, thz oppoeite extremitiee of the main valve caning are alternately placed in communication with the suction meana and the atmosphere whereby the main valve la shifted in one direction to o in com unieation between the bottom of t 10 tank nd the atmoephere and cut oil communication be tween the top of the tank and the auction meane, and in the ommsite direction to cutv otl' communication tween the bottom of the tank and the atmosphere and open communication between the top of the tank and the auction means.

2. Means f r purifying liquids by aerahere, the arrangement being such that at tion, comprising a number of tanks, the up per "portion of the initial or first tank beinpg' to communication with a emu-cc of liqui supply, the bottom of any tank being in communieation'with the upper portion of the adjacent tank, a float in each tank suction means, a main valve for each tank, an auxiliary valve for each tankcontrolled by the float a pipe' connected at one extremity with eac main. valve casing between its exsaid tremities, the opposite extremity of pipe being in communication with the bottom of the tank, another pipe leading from the main vulve'casing between itsextrcmitiee to the top of the tank, a third '.)lp0 conmeeting the main valve casing be ween its extremitiea with the suction means, a'eonnection between the third pipe and the auxiliary valve caemg; and between the last named casing and the opposite extremity of the main valve casing, the auxiliary and main valve casings having porte communicutin with the atmosphere, the arran ment ing such that as the auxiliary va vc is moved in o posite directions, the opposite extremities o the main valve caning are alternately'placed in communication with the auction means and with the atmosphere whereby the main valve is ehifte'd in one direction to 0 communication between the bottom of rte tank and the atmoephere and cut oii' communication between the topof the adjacent tank, being interrup ed, the

arrangements of the valves of the two tanks being such that when one tank is in communication with tho atmoe here, the other tank in in eounmmicatioirwit the suction means.

3. Means for purifying liquids by aeretion comprising a tank ving an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom, a goat within the tank, suction meana, ,en auxiliary loo 4 i name valvoeontmlletl byjh'ejioat, in communioamoved in the opposite direction the air is to tion with the suction meana and with the out 05 from the tank and the latter placed .ntaioqahen, and whoae opposite enda are in communication with theanction meana; i eooneeteti with the auxiliary valve, the er- In teatimon whereof I aux my signature 1 8 mt being such that when the anaiiin presence two witne-ea. i a a valve in moved in one direction, the NAT H. FREEMAN. I valve is shifted to open conununication Witnesses: t m the top of the tank and the auction 1 A. J. OBawx, and when the auxiliary valve is A. Emm- OBnnm. 1 

